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TI-2018-07709 Aliases CVE-2018-10896GHSA-rwhw-r234-9p3m

The default cloud-init configuration, in cloud-init 0.6.2 and newer, included…

Priority LOW 31CWE-321Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · None
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 3 fixed, 1 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-321.

Summary

The default cloud-init configuration, in cloud-init 0.6.2 and newer, included "ssh_deletekeys: 0", disabling cloud-init's deletion of ssh host keys. In some environments, this could lead to instances created by cloning a golden master or template system, sharing ssh host keys, and being able to impersonate one another or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.00351 28th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 3 advisoriesRed Hat: 3 fixed, 1 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
Canonicalcloud-init0.6.2—No fix listedCNA
  • cloud-init VendorCanonical Affected 0.6.2 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:canonical:cloud-init:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*0.6.2 to before 18.4VulnerableCanonical
  • cpe:2.3:a:canonical:cloud-init:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 0.6.2 to before 18.4 Vulnerable ·Canonical

Remediation

Red Hat 3 advisories

  • RHSA-2020:3898 Released 2020-09-29 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    cloud-init security, bug fix, and enhancement update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) cloud-init-19.4-7.el7
  • RHSA-2020:3644 Released 2020-09-08 · Red Hat rating Low
    cloud-init security update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 8.2) cloud-init-18.5-12.el8_2.3
  • RHSA-2020:3050 Released 2020-07-21 · Red Hat rating Low
    cloud-init security, bug fix, and enhancement update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) cloud-init-19.4-1.el8.7

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8)Fixed RHSA-2020:3050
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 8.2)Fixed RHSA-2020:3644
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2020:3898

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-10896
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-rwhw-r234-9p3m

References

Patch 2

Advisory 1

  • TI-2012-05357 Improper privilege management in cloud-init CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2024-05723 Improper authentication in Canonical cloud-init CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2024-10733 Incorrect permission assignment in Canonical cloud-init CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.9
  • TI-2020-06920 In cloud-init through 19.4, rand_user_password in cloudinit/config/cc_set_passwords.py… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
  • TI-2020-06919 cloud-init through 19.4 relies on Mersenne Twister for a random password, which makes it… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
  • TI-2023-01678 sensitive data exposure in cloud-init logs CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
See all 8 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences